Albion misfit Lee Steele could be on his way to Third Division Oxford United.

They are poised to clinch the capture of the Seagulls' striker on a Bosman free transfer.

Steele's looming departure leaves managerless Albion without a recognised partner for goal king Bobby Zamora.

Steele had talks with Oxford yesterday. His two-year contract with Albion runs out on Sunday and he has not been offered fresh terms.

Albion have won the Third and Second Division titles during Steele's two seasons with the club, but the Liverpudlian has not made the kind of impact he would have wished for.

The 28-year-old failed to command a regular starting place under both Micky Adams and Peter Taylor after Adams signed him on a free transfer from Shrewsbury.

He scored twice in 23 League appearances in his first season and was in and out of the side again last term, when he finished second top scorer behind Zamora with ten goals.

They included a crucial late winner as a substitute against Bristol City at Withdean to set up promotion.

Steele missed Albion's last two matches through suspension after a red card in a reserve game against Peterborough.

The ban will also sideline him from the opening fixture for Oxford, where he will join forces again with former Albion centre half Andy Crosby.

Oxford boss Ian Atkins is impressed by Steele's proven track record in Division Three. He scored 37 League goals in 113 games for Shrewsbury over the course of three seasons.

One of the priorities for Taylor's managerial successor will be signing a partner for Zamora.

Daniel Webb has gone back to Southend, but youngsters Daniel Marney and Chris McPhee are pressing for more first team opportunities.

The Seagulls will have new headquarters from Monday. The administration offices are moving from Queens Road in the centre of Brighton around the corner to Tower Point at the top of North Road.